Method of preparing graphitized vulcanized fiber



METHUD 0F PREIEARING: GRAPHI'IIZEB VULCANIZED FIBER.

narrates.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 11533211.

No Drawing. Uriginal application filed. December 14, 1920, Serial No. 430,711. Divided. and this application filed January 31, 1921. Serial No. 441,166.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, EDWARD G. AGHESON, Jr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Preparing Graphitized Vulcanized Fiber; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in graphitized vulcanized fiber, and in methods of preparing the same and the invention has for its object to provide a material of the character specified, especially adapted for bearings, or for any purpose wherein a measure of lubrication is desired, or where in electrical or thermo-conductivity is desired, and for any other purpose for which such material may be useful. 7

The improved material is composed of vulcanized fiber, containing a lubricant, as for instance graphite distributed therethrough, and it may be prepared by different methods. For instance, in my co-pending application, Serial No. 430,711, filed 14 December, 1920, of which the present application is a division, the material is pre pared by mixing finely pulverized graphite with the fiber while still in the beater, the graphite being in a state of suspension in the liquid of the beater. In the present application a formed web of paper is treated with graphite in colloidal form, as by passing the web of paper through a bath or baths containing the graphite in this form. Afterward the web so treated is subjected to the action of a suitable gelatinizing agent, as for instance zinc ohlorid, and is then shaped, washed, and seasoned, in the manner usually employed in the well-known method of making vulcanized fiber.

The improvedmaterial while it is especially adapted for use in bearings and the like, wherein lubrication is desired, is yet of value in other connections, as for instance where electrical or thermo-conductivity is desired in the material. The graphite provides such; conductivity.

While the methods above set forth are preferred methods, yet they may be modified. Tt will be understood also that it is not essential that the graphite be in colloidal IOIIH, since it may be applied in any other form that may be suitable forthe purpose.

@ne of the features of the invention is the d1stributing of the graphite throughout the body of the material in such manner that every part of the material will contain the graphite. lit is obvious that in special cases however, it might be desirable and will be feasible to distribute the graphite somewhat unevenly through the body. The es sential feature of the process is the incorporatlon of the graphite with the cellulose material before such material is converted into vulcanized fiber, so that the graphite Wlll be well distributed and will impart the desired new characteristics to the final product.

The distribution of the graphite throughout the body of the cellulose material is accomplished by the mode of applying the graphite. That is when the graphite is applied to the fibers after they have been formed into a web or sheet of paper, the distribution of the graphite is accomplished in part by the penetration of the graphite, especially if it is colloidal in the body of the web. But such distribution is accomcomposed of several layers, which is then thoroughly washed and cured to produce Gil (iii

\ plished mainly by 'superposing a number of the said moist webs or sheets of paper upon each other, thus building up a thicker sheet 1 sub-division such that it will remain in indefinite suspension in the vehicle, but in any ice paper web with graphite in colloidal form,

treating the web with a gelatinizing agent,

emme and afterward Washing and seasoning the 4. The step in the preparation of graphw b, itizeci fiber, Which consists in treating a 3. A method of preparing graphitized formed paper Web With graphite in a finely 10 fiber, which consists in treating a torme i divided form; I paper Web with graphite, treating the Web in testimony whereof I aflix my signature. with a gelatinizing agent, and afterward Washing and seasoning the Web WWARD WWW-W13! AWESW, r 

